As this weekend’s final SAT of the academic year draws near, a new survey concludes that more colleges and universities reduced or eliminated admissions testing requirements over the past twelve months than in any previous year.

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) reports that two dozen schools adopted test-optional policies since spring 2014. More than 850 accredited, bachelor-degree granting schools now do not require all or many applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Recent additions to the list (http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional) include: Beloit, Eastern Connecticut, Hofstra, Montclair State, Plymouth State, Temple, Virginia Commonwealth, and Wesleyan, among others.

According to FairTest Public Education Director Bob Schaeffer, “This test-optional surge is a sharp rejection of the ‘new SAT’ and an embrace of better ways to evaluate applicants.” An outline of SAT changes was unveiled last year. The first administration of the revised test will be in spring 2016.

“Many higher education leaders did not wait to see results from the revised test, as the College Board, the SAT’s sponsor, apparently hoped,” Schaeffer continued. “They understood that the ‘new’ exam will not be a fairer or more accurate predictor of college performance. No test – not the SAT, old or new, nor the ACT – is needed for high quality admissions.”

FairTest’s ACT/SAT-optional list now includes more than 165 schools ranked in the top tiers of their respective categories. More than one-third of top-ranked national liberal arts colleges have test-optional policies.